Terra-cotta and other fireproof constructions



(No Mo-del.) 1 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

J. W. ROWBLL. TERRA-GOTTA 011 01111111 PIRBPROOF GONSTRUGTIONS. No. 531,134. Patented De... 18, 1894-.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

' J. W. ROWBLL.

TERRA-GOTTA 0B. OTHER FIREPROOF C0l\TS'l`RUC'I.IONS.V l110.531,134.

Patented Dec. 18, 1894.

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I rUrrea STATES" `AArmor unten.

TERRA-GOTTA AND OTHER FIREPROF CONSTRUCTIONS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 531,134, datedDecember 1 8, 1894. lApplication filed J'uly 29, 1893. `Serial No. 481|864. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom, it may concern.:

Beit known that I, JOSEPH W. ROWELL, a citizen of the United States,`and a resident of the city and county of San Francisco, State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Terra-Cottaand other Fireproof Constructions; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

Myr invention relates to the building of arches, partitions, and other structures of the sametype made of terra cotta or similar holl'oW tiles.

The object of said inventionis to provide an improved mode of construction whereby v views.

persons of ordinary skill willrbe enabled to put up structures of the class referred to withshapely structures of unusual strength and so well joined, united and bound up as to loe practically immovable, impenetrable to fire,

and proof against earthquakes.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, in two sheets, for a detailed description of my invention,-Figure I is a sectional elevation of a floor arch containing my improvements. Fig. II is a top view of the same, the oor and a temporary clip'used in putting up the arch being removed. Fig. III is a detailed view, in perspective, of an improved tile forming part of my construction. IIIA is a broken` sectional elevation of an arch of modified form.y Fig. IV is a side elevation of a tile partition also embodying my invention. Fig. V is a vertical cross-section taken from Fig. IV. Fig. VI is a plan of the structure shown in the two preceding figures. Fig. VII is an elevation showing my improved method of arching over openings in partitions. Fig. VIII is a perspective viewofv the form of tile which I consider most suitable for partitions.

Corresponding parts are designated by cor responding letters of reference in all the Let A B C represent hollow tiles, such as are used inthe construction of floors of various ediices, and which may be of any de- Fig.'

sirable shape, size, and material, though now made of terra cotta. In the sides of each tile I form a rabbet 00 by, means of which the tiles are made to lap o/ver one another and which is so designed as to form a radiating joint, as shown in the drawings. For arches of the nature represented in Figl the tiles are rabbeted on a plane coinciding with that of the upper surface of the arched strengthening rib y in order that each may be readily picked out and set in its proper place in the structure of which it is to form a part.

Besides the rabbet tc I provide each tile with a lip or rim a projecting outwardly from one end and adapted to be inserted and fitted into the opposite end of the preceding tile, thus affording a tailed butt joint in lieu of the straight butt-joint heretofore in vogue. This lip or rim may be either'continuous or broken in places, as illustrated in Figs. III and VIII. b indicates a lip, ledge or Iiange which may be substituted for the rabbet m in the sides of the tile, projecting from one of the upper edges or corners of the tile as shown.

Fig. IIIA represents one half section through an arch whose voussoirs are formed with straight radiating joints at the'topof which such a lip, ledge or liange laps over onto the top of the adjoining voussoir. This form of hollow tile voussoirs may be used with the tailed butt joint as in the case of the rabbeted voussoirs shown in Fig. I and will accomplish the same result.

The rabbet and corner liange are replaced in partition tiles by an angularprojection c at one side and a corresponding angular depression or groove d in the opposite side of each tile as indicated in Fig. VIII. These form vertical dovetail joints and strengthening divisions and give lateral strength to the partition. v

Each tile, whether made for partition or arch Work, is also provided with a repetition IOO flange f by means of which the skewback tiles may be held in position by temporary metal clips E, Fig. I, until the key-tile has been set in position. Another improvement in the construction of these tiles consists in beveling the inner side of their lower members 71, which cover and protect the lower {iange of the steel beams F, thereby forming an air space between the tiles and the bottom of the beams. 1

It will be observed that by using my improved tiles an arch can be set in position without the use of centering or scaifolding along its under surface, and without the use of iron or steel bearers in the construction of the arch, as, after the tiles marked A in Fig. II have been set, the rest of the tiles composing the arch may be slipped in alternately between the projecting members ofthe course last set.

The rabbeted radiating joint insures the stability of the separate members while the process of setting them without centering or other support from below is carried out and operates to vastly increase the stability and rigidity of the entire arch after it is finished. The rabbet in the radiating joint coinciding with the upper line of the arched strengthening rib obviates the possibility ot' a mistake in setting the arch, since, the rabbet being necessarily at a different position in each different radiating joint, no tile except t-he one intended for the place can be used. This is an improvement on all straight radiating joint arches as even skilled workmen in setting the latter often make mistakes in selecting the proper tile for the position, endangering the safety of the arch. The rabbet furthermore prevents any deiiection or sagging of the lower surface of the arch. A further improvement is to be found in the peculiar adjustment of the arched strengthening rib with rabbet in joint which gives the best possible arrangement for strength. The principle of the rabbeted radiating joint is further susceptible of practical application in the building of arches over openings in hollow tile partitions, as indicated in Fig. VII. There the rabbeted radiating joint makes the superincu mbent weight dependent on an arch for support instead of bearing on the door head or being sustained by the cohesion of the mortar in the joints. The same results, it will be noticed, are obtained by following the construction illustrated at Fig. IIP.

Having the butt joints tailed, as set forth, and especially using the same in connection with the rabbeted radiating joints tends to further consolidate a structure made of hollow tiles, whether arch, partition, or similar work. In an arch, for instance, the tailed butt joints render each longitudinal row of tiles practically a continuous voussoir while the rabbeted joint secures each voussoir from an upward or downward movement. This makes the completed arch immovable and absolutely earthquake proof, as the voussoirs cannot be dislodged by either an upward, downward or lateral thrust. In a partition, the projecting rim or lip on the lower edge of the tile fitting down into the opening in the upper end of the preceding tile, as illustrated in Fig. V, obviates the necessity of metal clamps in setting, thereby making the partition wholly of fire-proof material, and together with the dovetail or angular joints precludes the possibility of its being swayed from side to side.

Having now described my invention, what l claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

A hollow tile having an arched strengthening rib and having longitudinal rabbets on its sides in a plane coinciding with that of the upper surface of the strengthening rib, and provided at one end with a projecting lip or rim.

In testimony whereof Iafiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

J OS. W. ROWELL.

Witnesses:

R. R. STRAIN, THOMAS ENGLEY. 

